Wright Pulsar Gemini

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Wright Pulsar Gemini
Arriva London South - DW69 - LJ04LDU.JPG
An Arriva London Wright Pulsar Gemini in Brixton, December 2013
Overview
ManufacturerWrightbus
Production2003–2006
AssemblyBallymena, Northern Ireland
Body and chassis
Doors1 or 2
Floor typeLow-entry
ChassisVDL DB250LF
RelatedWright Pulsar
Powertrain
EngineDAF ATi RS 8.6 litre
DAF Paccar PS 9.2 litre
Ford Puma 2.4l I4 diesel (HEV)[1]
Capacity56–70 seated
TransmissionVoith DIWA
ZF Ecomat
Dimensions
Length9.6–10.5 m (31–34 ft)
Width2.55 m (8.4 ft)
Height4.4 m (14 ft)
Chronology
SuccessorWright Gemini 2

The Wright Pulsar Gemini was a design of double-decker bus bodywork built onto VDL DB250LF chassis by Wrightbus between 2003 and 2006. It was almost identical to the Wright Eclipse Gemini that was mounted on the Volvo B7TL and later Volvo B9TL chassis.

The Pulsar Gemini was ordered almost exclusively by Arriva UK Bus, with its Arriva London subsidiary purchasing 133 examples and Arriva Midlands purchasing 32.[2][3]

In 2007, Wrightbus launched the Wright Gemini 2 integral double-decker with VDL DB300 chassis modules as the successor to the Pulsar Gemini in both diesel and hybrid-electric forms.

Features[]

As with the Wright Eclipse Gemini, this bus has both the upper and lower deck front windscreens forming part of a single oval shape, with the destination display in between. In London, they have two doors for passenger loading, one at the front and one in the centre. The staircase is situated between the front and centre entrances.

Pulsar Gemini HEV[]

Wright Pulsar Gemini HEV with First Somerset & Avon in Bath.

The Wright Pulsar Gemini HEV was the hybrid-electric variant of the Pulsar Gemini, introduced in 2006. It was the first hybrid double-decker to be built in the United Kingdom. It was based on the same VDL DB250 chassis as the diesel Pulsar Gemini, but with the DAF engine removed and replaced with a smaller Ford Duratorq engine coupled to a hybrid-electric driveline. Only three Pulsar Gemini HEVs were built – as detailed below – before the model was superseded by the introduction of the Wright Gemini 2 HEV in 2007.

Production vehicles[]

The first Wright Pulsar Gemini HEV was unveiled by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone in October 2006.[4] After being exhibited at the Euro Bus Expo at the National Exhibition Centre, in March 2007 it entered service with Arriva London on route 141 for evaluation.[5][6][7] In 2008 it moved to East Thames Buses' Mandela Way garage for six months, mainly being used on route 1. From August 2010 until February 2012, it operated for First Somerset & Avon in Bath after having its centre door removed.[8][9]

The second production Pulsar Gemini HEV was delivered to Dublin Bus of Ireland in late 2008.[10][11] It was withdrawn in early 2012 and sold to Ensignbus, where it caught fire in mid-2012 due to an electrical fault.[citation needed]

The third and final Pulsar Gemini HEV to be completed was delivered to London General and entered service in 2009. It left the fleet in early 2012 and its current whereabouts are unknown.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ^ https://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/14/a-hybrid-bus-that-cuts-fuel-consumption-in-half/?guccounter=1
  2. ^ Show debut for Pulsar Gemini Wrightbus 29 October 2003
  3. ^ "Inward-facing rear seats go with disappearing DLAs" Buses issue 720 May 2015 page 22
  4. ^ Hybrid-double-decker bus unveiled BBC News 31 October 2006
  5. ^ Arriva trials world's first double decker hybrid bus Arriva 16 March 2007
  6. ^ Hybrid double-decker bus launched BBC News 16 March 2007
  7. ^ Competition hots up on hybrids Bus & Coach Professional 21 November 2008
  8. ^ Wrightbus double deck hybrid makes a big impression in Bath Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership 10 November 2010
  9. ^ Civitas case study: Hybrid bus is better for Bath Clean & Better Transport in Cities
  10. ^ New direction as first hybrid bus works cross-city The Herald 1 October 2008
  11. ^ Dublin Bus puts hybrid-electric vehicle into service for test period Irish Times 16 December 2008

External links[]

Media related to Wright Pulsar Gemini at Wikimedia Commons

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